Judge warns Great America attack suspect that 'there will be consequences' if pretrial behavior continues

An 18-year-old Waukegan man charged in connection with a beating at Six Flags Great America last fall was castigated by a Lake County judge Monday for unspecified events surrounding a cancelled court appearance last week, with the judge warning the suspect there would be serious consequences for any more problems with courthouse employees.

“You will not be a risk to my court staff,” Judge Mark Levitt told Gregory Battle during a hearing in Waukegan that was scheduled after a Wednesday appearance was postponed without explanation.

Though both Assistant Lake County State's Attorney John Brown and Battle’s attorney, Joseph Zeit, declined to comment on what occurred prior to the cancelled appearance, Levitt also told Battle that, “Everything you said at (the) last court date” prior to it being postponed will be taken into account when discussions about possibly removing his no-bond detainment status take place later this month.

“Do that again, and there will be consequences,” Levitt said.

Battle is presently is being held without bond after he was picked up on an arrest warrant for skipping bond twice this spring. He had originally been released after posting 10 percent of $20,000 bail following his arrest in connection with a Sept. 23, 2017, altercation at Great America in Gurnee.

A Batavia family — a 51-year-old man, 50-year-old woman and their 12-year-old son — was attacked after confronting the group of nine about cutting in line and using foul language, according to police. Battle was taken into custody shortly after the attack and charged with with felony counts of aggravated battery causing great bodily harm and aggravated battery in a public place. He was the only suspect charged as an adult.

In the nine months since then, Battle’s trip through the court system has seen him allegedly fail a drug test while out on bond this spring, according to authorities. At Battle’s subsequent hearing, Levitt reduced bail so Battle could attend a month-long drug treatment inpatient stay at a facility in Carbondale.

Levitt told Battle at the May 7 pretrial hearing that he was giving him another chance “primarily” for the sake of Battle’s parents, who attend his court appearances. Levitt warned him that the consequences would be “extremely serious” if he violated his bond again.

Battle again disappeared after failing to enter the drug-treatment center, according to authorities, and another warrant with no bond was issued for his arrest.

On June 12, Waukegan police responded to a home invasion call in the 1000 block of South Elmwood, but after officers spoke with people at the scene, the call was reclassified as an altercation involving Battle and others, according to Cmdr. Joe Florip.

During an investigation, Battle was identified by a witness, Florip added, and he was charged with battery and mob action for the South Elmwood incident before being transferred to the jail on the outstanding warrant.

It was the second time Battle was arrested by Waukegan police while he was being sought for allegedly becoming a fugitive while on bond for the Great America charges.